Town of Greenwich -- University of Connecticut Partner in Long Island Sound Ecology Study

October 7: The Town of Greenwich and the University of Connecticut have entered into an historic partnership to provide science-based information on the ecology and natural resources of Greenwich and Long Island Sound, with a mission of advancing sustainable management, conservation, and policy. Read more.

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What's a Clam Worth? Greenwich Wants to Know.

Historically we have valued clams as currency, traded them as a commodity, and even assigned a dollar equivalency through vernacular slang. Read more.

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Connecticut Shellfish by the Numbers

The Connecticut Shellfish Initiative is a stakeholder-based vision plan to grown and protect Connecticut's commercial, recreational and natural shellfish resources and increase public awareness of Connecticut's shellfish heritage. Read more.

In recent years, a number of shellfish-related illness outbreaks have been caused by the naturally occurring bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This marine bacterium occurs naturally... Read more.

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Shellfish Commission Partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission partners with NOAA to quantify the value of the ecosystem services provided by Shellfish in Greenwich waters. Read more.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission is appointed by the First Selectman and has principal authority and responsibility for the Town’s significant shellfish resources.

Their mandate is to manage, protect, propagate and conserve the Shellfish beds in the GHA, both recreational and commercial.

The Commission, who’s area of jurisdiction is generally coterminous with the GHA, prepares a Town shellfish management plan, promotes the enhancement of shellfish production and harvest for both recreational and commercial purposes in Greenwich waters as well as the preservation and restoration of shellfish habitat and water quality in the GHA.

Under the direction of the Bureau of Aquaculture (DABA), the Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission performs regular monthly water sampling in Greenwich Waters to ensure they meet and comply with the State of Connecticut’s physical and chemical standards. This also requires having continuous contact with all Commercial Shellfisherman farming Greenwich waters.

Maintaining a working relationship with DEEP, the Commission is required to inspect the location of and sign off on project plans to repair or build berths, jetties, seawalls, revetments, moorings placement and Greenwich DPW drainage projects, confirming these projects will not have a negative impact on shellfish beds.

Educationally the Commission cooperates with both NOAA and UCONN on their Ecosystem Services and environmental biology projects in Greenwich waters, holds recreational shellfishing demonstrations for the general public and schools also arranging talks on shellfishing given by Nationally recognized experts.

With authority provided by the general Statutes the Commission issues licenses for the taking of shellfish. It fixes fees for that taking, designates the quantities and size of the shellfish that can be harvested, the methods that may be used and issues Town Regulations for recreational shellfishing. Volunteer wardens patrol the recreational beds to educate and guide the general public in Shellfishing techniques and safety.

All fees collected by the Commission, for the taking of shellfish, must be used by the Commission for protecting and propagating shellfish under its control.